At Bowers Elementary, dance is about far more than choreography, performances, or halftime shows. Under the leadership of Dawn Jenkins and a dedicated team of volunteer coaches, the Sweethearts and Hip Hop Boyz have become a shining example of what happens when students are taught to lead with kindness, courage, and compassion.
Known throughout their school and community for spreading positivity, this remarkable group is helping young people discover that true leadership begins with how we treat others.
A Mission Bigger Than Dance
For Jenkins, the purpose of the program extends well beyond learning routines and performing on stage. “Life is hard for everyone, and each person is carrying struggles we may never see,” she explains. “I hope our dancers learn to encourage one another, lift each other up, and celebrate each other’s successes instead of always competing to be the best.”
That philosophy has become the foundation of the Sweethearts and Hip Hop Boyz. Students are challenged to lead with humility, kindness, gratitude, and courage—qualities that often matter far more than trophies or applause. “If we can make a difference in someone’s day, support those around us, and lead with love, then we are doing something truly meaningful.”
The Team
When asked to describe the team in three words, Jenkins doesn’t hesitate: Loving. Bold. Uplifting.
The program encourages students to love and respect others, regardless of differences. Team members are challenged to be bold enough to stand up for what is right and brave enough to speak up for themselves and others. Most importantly, students learn that leadership is about lifting others up.
“We want our team members to understand that true leadership is not about being front and center,” Jenkins says. “It is about serving others, building people up, and helping everyone around you succeed.”
Kindness in Action
Perhaps the most powerful examples of the team’s impact happen away from the spotlight. One such story involves team member Sophia Carver and a special needs student. Knowing the student loved to dance, Sophia made it a priority to include her every day. On the playground, Sophia held her hand, played with her, and patiently taught her dance routines. Her kindness wasn’t occasional—it was consistent.
Another student, Liam Alfrey, also became a source of support and friendship for the same student. Throughout the school day, he helped her navigate between classes and often spent time pushing her on the swing when she wasn’t dancing.
For Jenkins, these moments represent everything the program hopes to teach. “Sophia and Liam’s actions reflect exactly what we hope our students learn—to love others, be bold in their kindness, and lift people up every day.”
The Heart Behind the Performances
While audiences see polished performances and smiling faces, there is an enormous amount of work happening behind the scenes. Volunteer coaches Missy Lane, Shonna Harvey, and Heather Steele dedicate countless hours to making the program possible. From choreographing routines and organizing practices to fundraising, creating costumes, planning events, preparing meals, and supporting students emotionally, their commitment is extraordinary.
What makes their dedication even more remarkable is that every coaching position is completely volunteer. “We believe every child deserves the opportunity to be part of something special, regardless of their financial situation,” Jenkins shares. The team never requires students to pay to participate, ensuring opportunities remain accessible to all children.
Together, the coaching staff works to instill values such as commitment, perseverance, responsibility, and a strong work ethic. Their goal is not simply to develop dancers but to help shape future leaders. “Our dancers learn that success is not about being perfect. It’s about showing up, giving your best effort, supporting others, and having the courage to get back up every time you fall.”
Growing Leaders Beyond the Dance Floor
Leadership development is intentionally woven into every aspect of the program. Students are encouraged to take risks, work hard, and persevere through challenges. They are also given unique opportunities to build confidence through public speaking.
Throughout the year, team members have appeared on podcasts, participated in news interviews, spoken before community groups, and presented to audiences outside their comfort zones. For elementary students, those experiences can be intimidating. Yet Jenkins believes these moments help students discover their voices and develop communication skills that will benefit them long after their dance careers end.
By stepping onto stages, behind microphones, and into public platforms, students learn to represent themselves, their team, and their school with confidence and professionalism.
Memorable Moments and Meaningful Traditions
Among Jenkins’ favorite memories is the opportunity to perform during halftime at a Lady Vols basketball game, an honor the team has enjoyed for four consecutive seasons. “It is such an incredible experience for our dancers,” she says.
Yet despite the excitement of performing on a major stage, her favorite tradition remains the annual Sweethearts Showcase. The showcase serves as a celebration of a year’s worth of growth, dedication, and accomplishments. Families, friends, and supporters gather to watch students take the stage one final time, reflecting on how far they have come together. “It’s the perfect way to celebrate a year of hard work, growth, and accomplishments.”
Creating a Culture of Kindness
If given the opportunity to launch a schoolwide kindness challenge, the Sweethearts and Hip Hop Boyz have a simple idea: Give three genuine compliments every day.
The challenge encourages students to intentionally uplift classmates, teachers, and staff members. “We believe kindness is contagious,” Jenkins says. “By making an effort to encourage others daily, we can help make our school a place where everyone feels valued, respected, and appreciated.”
Inspiring the Next Generation
The influence of the Sweethearts and Hip Hop Boyz extends beyond their own team members. Through annual dance camps, older students teach routines, mentor younger dancers, offer encouragement, and model positive leadership. These experiences allow younger students to see firsthand what leadership through service looks like. By demonstrating strong character, confidence, and kindness, team members inspire the next generation to become leaders in their own unique ways.
More Than a Dance Team
When selecting students for the program, talent alone is not enough. The qualities Jenkins values most are kindness, dedication, respect, strong character, hard work, and academic responsibility. These expectations align with the program’s broader mission:
To empower and grow strong, dedicated, self-confident young ladies and gentlemen who believe they can accomplish anything through hard work, perseverance, and teamwork.
Ultimately, the Sweethearts and Hip Hop Boyz aim to help students become positive leaders who make meaningful contributions to their communities and the world around them.
A Lesson in Leadership
After years of leading students dedicated to kindness, service, and positivity, Jenkins says the greatest lesson she has learned is surprisingly simple: Lead by example.
She has learned when to push students harder, when to show grace, and when encouragement matters most. Through every challenge, one principle remains constant: never stop believing in others. “Life is hard,” Jenkins reflects. “Just keep pushing to be your best every day, no matter how hard it is.”
It is a message that resonates far beyond the dance floor. At Bowers Elementary, the Sweethearts and Hip Hop Boyz are proving that leadership is not measured by trophies, titles, or applause. It is measured by kindness shown, lives touched, and the courage to lift others higher. And that may be their most impressive performance of all.
Submitted by: TN Educator Collective in collaboration with Dawn Jenkins, 4th Grade Teacher, Roane County Schools
Dawn Jenkins has been a teacher for 30 years and still believes teaching is the best job in the world. She truly loves what she does and feels that God chose the perfect career for her. She has been honored and blessed to serve students and families throughout her career, and is incredibly thankful for every year she has been able to serve.
Her greatest joy in life is her 21-year-old son, who is nonverbal, medically fragile, and has special needs. He is the delight of her life and teaches her every day about perseverance, unconditional love, and finding joy in the little things.
She has been married for 29 years to an amazing husband and father. Together, they have faced many medical challenges. After their son was born, she underwent an emergency organ transplant. About ten years ago, her husband battled thyroid cancer. While those experiences were difficult, their faith was strengthened and they were reminded of the importance of family, resilience, and gratitude.
Through every challenge and every blessing, God has been faithful. Together, they are thankful for the life they have been given, the people who have supported them along the way, and the countless blessings that continue to fill their lives.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, swimming, working out, hanging out with friends, and coaching the Bowers’ Sweethearts and Hip Hop Boyz. Coaching these students has become one of the greatest joys of her life, and she is grateful for the opportunity to help young people grow into confident leaders.
